Theresa Said:

Medical Assisting! Is it worth the $10,800 for school?

We Answered:

i currently work as a cna and unit secretary in trauma icu for a big hospital in phoenix,az. i make around 16 an hour but that's b/c i work night shift AND i do both the secretary and the aide job at once.

that seems like WAY to much to pay for that type of program. if you are looking into a vocational or technical college-keep in mind that they tend to overprice their programs. a community college in your area should provide a program for nurse assistants-that's the best way to go b/c it gives you more choices on where you want to work: doctor's office, nursing home, home health or hospital. medical assistants primarily work out of a doctor's office and i know for my area the starting pay is only about 9-10 an hour.

i'm getting ready to start the RN program next spring and i can tell you that the experience i've gained from being a nursing assistant will help me excel in the RN program-you learn so much just by being in the field and i know alot of companies out there will pay for you to go to school as long as you give them a 1-3 year commitment after you graduate.

home health probably pays a little more than the other choices b/c of the demands of the job-you are required to travel to visit your patients at their home and assistant them with their everyday activities:bathing,eating, dressing, etc. pay for that in my state is around 11-13.

hospitals pay well and there are so many areas you can go into-i started out on a regular medical floor but now work in the trauma icu and i love it-it's fast paced and i learn alot since the patients are so critical and require special care.

if you want to grow in your career and eventually make more money then i would stick with the nursing assistant postition-it allows room for growth as a nurse. the nursing program doesn't not allow you credit for the medical assistant training and that training will also not allow for work in a hospital or home health.